United Nations Radio

The United Nations refugee agency and other international agencies are calling for global action to better address the challenges posed by dangerous migration across the Gulf of Aden to Yemen.~~

The call comes as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Antonio Gueterres concludes his five-day visit to Yemen where he participated in a two-day conference on the issue held in the capital Sana'a.

The meeting was attended by representatives of Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia, Yemen, civil society as well as international organizations, the African Union and the European Commission.

Mr. Guterres, who opened the conference on Monday, praised Yemen for providing protection to people making the dangerous crossing from Somalia.

UNHCR spokesperson Jennifer Pagonis has more on the conference.

"The two-day conference aims to establish a regional mechanism and a longer-term plan of action on refugee protection and mixed migration in the Gulf of Aden region. And participants are presently reviewing the challenges in the main countries of departure, transit and arrival in the region, and are trying to work on a plan to develop appropriate responses."

According to the United Nations refugee agency, so far this year more than 18,000 people have crossed the Gulf of Aden and over 400 have died trying to make the voyage.

Reporting for UN Radio, I'm Bissera Kostova.

(duration: 1'22")